Eyewear with removable audio system

ABSTRACT

Eyewear includes a left temple and a right temple. Each of the temples has a cavity sized to receive an audio device such as a BlueTooth transceiver configured to communicate wirelessly with a remote device like a cell phone or a digital sound device. The BlueTooth transceiver may be placed in the cavity of either temple with the other temple cavity covered with a cover plate. An earphone may be connected to the BlueTooth transceiver through a receptacle. The earphone delivers the audible sound to the user&#39;s ear. The receptacle of the BlueTooth transceiver to which the earphone connects is also configured to receive the connector from a charger to charge a rechargeable battery in the BlueTooth transceiver. The eyewear may also be configured with cover plates over the cavity in both of the temples or with an audio device in both cavities to provide audible signals to both ears of the user.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA

The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/760,429 filed on Jan. 20, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. The Field of the Invention

This invention relates to eyewear with audio devices in the temples orstems and more particularly to eyewear with temples or stems configuredto removably receive an audio system.

2. The Relevant Technology

Eyewear configured to include audio devices are known. For example, U.S.Patent Application 2005/0159182 (Lai) discloses eyewear with a wirelesscommunication device in the temples. U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,767 (Swab, etal) discloses eyewear with a transceiver in the temples which mayconnect to a remote device. U.S. Pat. No. 6,929,365 (Swab, et al) alsodisclosed a wireless or BlueTooth system in the temples of eyewear. U.S.Pat. No. 6,729,726 (Miller et al.) disclosed a temple structure to placean ear piece proximate the ear canal of the user. The ear piece isconnected to a wireless transmitter to obtain aural or audiblecommunications.

Eyewear with sound systems are commercially available including the NUDare Shadow MP3 Sunglass and the THUMP 2™ eyeglass from Oakley.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Eyewear for positioning about the head of a user has a lens frame forpositioning proximate the eyes of a user. The lens frame includes atleast one lens for positioning proximate the eyes of a user. A firsttemple is attached to the left side of the lens frame and sized toextend over an ear of the user. The first temple is formed to have afirst cavity therein sized to removably receive therein one of an audiosystem and a cover plate.

A second temple is attached to the lens frame and sized to extend overthe other ear of the user. Preferably the right temple is formed to havea right cavity therein sized to removably receive therein one of anaudio system and a cover plate.

The audio system for generating audible sound for the user includesbattery means for generating electrical power. The audio means is acircuit configured for producing audio signals convertible to audiblesignals. The audio means is connected to the battery means to receivepower therefrom.

The audio system also includes connector means connected to receive theaudio signals from the audio system. Audio transmitting means preferablyin the form of an earphone is removably connected to the connector meansto receive audio signals from the audio system. Upon removal of theearphone, a battery charger may be connected to the connector forremovable connection to a battery charger for supplying power andrecharge the battery means.

In preferred arrangements, the audio system includes a microphone forreceiving audible signals from a user and converting the audible signalsinto outgoing audio signal for transmission to a remote device. Theremote device may also transmit to the audio system.

These and other objects and features of the present invention willbecome more fully apparent from the following description and appendedclaims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forthhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of thepresent invention, a more particular description of the invention willbe rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which areillustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and aretherefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention willbe described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified depiction of eyewear with an audio systemconfigured to receive audio signals from a remote transmitting device ofthe instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of eyewear of the instant invention;

FIG. 3 is a front view of eyewear of the instant invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a left temple of eyewear of the instantinvention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a right temple of eyewear of the instantinvention along with an audio system and a cover plate;

FIG. 6 is a perspective side view looking from inside outwardly of aleft temple of the eyewear of the instant invention;

FIG. 7 is top perspective view of the left temple of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective of the left temple of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a perspective side view looking inwardly of a left temple ofthe temple of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the cavity in the left temple ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the left temple of FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is the inside view of an audio system configured for positioningin the cavity in the left temple of FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the outside surface of an audio systemconfigured for positioning in the cavity in the left temple of FIG. 6;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the inside surface of an audio systemconfigured for positioning in the cavity in the left temple of FIG. 6;

FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of an audio system configured forpositioning in the cavity in the left temple of FIG. 6;

FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of an audio system positioned inthe left temple of FIG. 6;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a perspective of the left temple of FIG.6 with a cover plate installed;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged image of an ear phone for use with the lefttemple of FIG. 6;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a plug or connector foruse with an ear phone of FIG. 6 or a charger for use with the instantinvention;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged cross sectional view of an alternate plug orconnector for use with an ear phone of FIG. 6 or a charger for use withthe instant invention; and

FIG. 20 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a receptacle for use withan audio system of the instant invention configured to receive the plugor connector of FIG. 18 or 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, eyewear 10 includes a front frame, noseframe or glass frame 12 configured to position 14 lenses and 16proximate the eyes of an user in a traditional manner. The lenses 14 and16 may be standard clear lenses, sunglass lenses or the like. The glassframe 12 is supported by a left temple 18 and a right temple 20. Thetemples 18 and 20 may also be referred to as “ears” and “stems.” Theleft temple 18 and the right temple 20 are secured to the glass frame 12by hinges 22 and 24 so the user may fold the left temple 18 and righttemple 20 inwardly 26 and 28 when the eyewear 10 is not in use.

A pocket or cavity 30 (better seen in FIGS. 6, 8 and 10) is formed in atleast one temple such as the left temple 18. The pocket or cavity 30 issized to removably receive and retain audio means for use in an audiosystem. The audio means is any suitable device capable of producing orconfigured to produce audio signals that can be converted to audiblesignals for the user. Thus, the audio means may be a radio (AM/FM), atwo-way radio, a telephone, the audio signal from a CD player or a DVDplayer, an electronic digital sound device like an MP3 player and a cellphone. It may also be a wireless device such as a BlueTooth device 32 or32A (e.g., see FIGS. 4, 5 and 12-14) connected to receive audio signalswirelessly from and, for some devices such as a cell phone, to transmitaudio signals to a remote source such as a cell phone 34 (FIG. 1) orother suitable device that generates audio signals.

It should be understood that the audio means is part of an audio systemthat may include an ear piece 36 to convert audio signals receivedelectrically or electronically from the audio means such as theBlueTooth device 32 and convert them in audible signals or sound for theuser to hear through a small speaker 38 positioned proximate andpreferably directly over the ear canal of the user's ear 40. The speakeris any suitable device configured to convert electronic or electricalsignals to audible sound.

The audio system also may include a microphone 42, 42A, 42B and 42C(FIGS. 4, 5, 12-14) along with up volume control 44, 44A, 44B and 44C aswell as a down volume control and on-off switch 46, 46A, 46B and 46C.That is, the down volume control 46A, 46B and 46C is configured to lowerthe volume when pressed and when held for a period (e.g., 1-2 seconds),it will turn off the audio means, which is here the BlueTooth device 32.The audio means, such as BlueTooth device 32 or 32A, is battery poweredtypically by one or more small rechargeable batteries which are includedwith and changeable in the BlueTooth device 32 or 32A. The BlueToothdevice 32 or 32A may also be configured with a sensor positionedinternally which measures the time from the last audio signal generatedby or through the microphone 42, 42A, 42B and 42C as well as the lastaudio signal received from the remote source 34. After a pre-selectedperiod (e.g., 15 seconds up to 1 minute), the sensor automatically turnsoff the BlueTooth device 32 to conserve battery power. In some units, asmall warning beep may be generated as an audio signal and converted toan audio signal by the earphone 38 to warn the user that the BlueToothdevice 32 or 32A will be turning off again in a pre-selected time of,for example, 5 seconds, so the user can do something to avoid automaticturn off. A light emitting diode (LED) 43 and 43C is shown positioned toemit light when the BlueTooth device 32 or 32A is on so the user candetect the on condition when removing the eyewear 10 and placing them ona nearby adjoining surface (e.g., table).

It may be noted that the microphone 42, 42A, 42B and 42C (FIGS. 4, 5,12-14) is located forwardly of the ear 40 proximate the upper jaw areato facilitate the transmission of sound from the mouth to the microphone42, 42A, 42B and 42C. Notably the up volume control 44, 44A, 44B and 44Cas well as a down volume control and on-off switch 46, 46A, 46B and 46Care also conveniently positioned between the ear 40 of the user and thehinge 22 or 24 to again be convenient for the user to access andoperate.

The BlueTooth device 32 illustrated has an aperture 48, 48A, 48B and 48Cconfigured to receive a connector 50 of the earpiece 36. The connector50 (FIG. 17) is a conductor with a length 54 sized to position theconnector 50 snuggly in the aperture 48, 48A, 48B and 48C with theshoulder 54 substantially abutting the lower exterior surface 56 of theleft temple 18 or the lower exterior surface 20 of the right temple 20.The connector 50 has a shoulder 60 with separate conductors 61, 62 and64. The tip is a positive electrical connection 66 that is arranged witha separate conductor, such as conductor 62, to effect an electricalconnection for purposes of supply electrical power to the Blue Toothdevice 32 or 32A. The tip 62 extends rearward another separate leg orground 68. The insulators are sized to lead to a very snug fit into anaperture 48, 48A, 48B and 48C and in turn retain the earpiece 36 inconnection with the temples 18 or 20.

The apertures 48, 48A, 48B and 48C are also configured to snugglyreceive a connector 70. The connector 70 is connected by a two wireconductor 72 to a transformer 74 which is configured to provide power,e.g., from a 115 volt source, reduced to a desired voltage, such as 6volts to appropriately charge the internal rechargeable battery (notshown). The connector 70 is also configured to provide a positive and aground connection.

The earpiece 36 shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 17 has the connector 50 thatextends from a housing 76 to which a first arm 78 is pivotally connectedto rotate 80 about axis 82 on a first axel 83. The first arm 78 ispivotally connected to rotate 84 on axel 85 about axis 86 with thesecond arm 88. A two wire connection is effected from the housing 76 toand through the first arm 78 and the second arm 88 through theirrespective axels 83 and 85 all in a conventional manner to connect theearphone or speaker 38 so that audio signals can be converted to audiblesignals.

Referring to FIGS. 17, 18, 19 and 20, a representative connector 160 isshown in cross section which can be used as connector 50 or 70.Similarly, receptacle 162 is shown sized to receive the connector 160.The receptacle 162 may be used as one of the apertures 48, 48A, 48B and48C. The connectors 50 and 70 may be constructed in alternate ways sothat connector 50 can effect a connection for audio signals andconnector 70 can be used to connect a charger to the BT device and itsincluded battery. The configurations shown in FIGS. 18. and 19 arepreferred as the same connector 160 or connector 164 may be used forboth the audio connection 50 and the batter charger connection 70.

As seen in FIG. 18, the connector 160 has a base 166 into which a finger168 is mounted. The base 166 maybe affixed to the finger 168, typicallyby use of conventional potting techniques. However, the base 166 may beaffixed to the finger 168 by glue, screws, or any other suitable meansto effect a firm physical association. The finger 168 is made of asuitable conductive metal (e.g., various iron alloys) with three grooves170, 171, 172 formed in the finger 168 to extend around thecircumference of the finger 168. Each groove 170-172 has an insulator174, 175, and 176 positioned therein which may be a thin film mylar oreven paper to insulate conductive rings 178, 179, and 180. Theconductive rings 178-180 may be made from a suitable commerciallyavailable composition of carbon or graphite and resin. The conductiverings 178-180 are each connected to conductors (wires) 182, 183, and 184for further connection. A separate conductor 186 is affixed to thefinger 168 itself.

In use, the connector 160 is used to attach the ear piece 36 to the BlueTooth device 32, 32A by inserting it into the receptacle 162. Thereceptacle 162 has a tubular and preferably cylindrical opening 190sized in diameter 192 slightly larger than the diameter 194 of thefinger 168 and sized in length so that the base 166 abuts the exteriorsurface 196 at the same time that the tip 198 contacts the inside recess200 of the cylindrical opening 190. That is, the finger 168 has a frontsection 202 that is tapered outwardly at a suitable angle 204 from theaxis 206 to mate or register with a suitable or comparable surface 208at an angle 210 comparable to angle 204 relative to axis 212 so thatwhen the connector 160 is inserted in the cylindrical opening 190, theaxis 206 is coaxial and in general alignment with axis 212. Wheninserted, it can be seen that the conductive rings 178-180 align withcorresponding conductive rings 214, 215, and 216. Conductive rings 214,215, and 216 may be mounted to be electrically insulated as needed sothat electrical signals may pass between conductive rings 178-180 andconductive rings 214-216 respectively. That is, the conductive rings178-180 are in electrical contact with conductive rings 214-216 when thefinger 168 is fully inserted into cylindrical opening 190

As can be seen, the front section 202 of the finger 168 connects to thefont portion 220 of the cylindrical opening 190 to effect an electricalconnection by conductor 222 to the battery (not shown); and the middlering 215 connects by conductor 224 to the battery. Thus a positive andnegative connection is effected so that the battery may be chargedthrough the transformer 74, conductor 72 and connector 70 which has afinger and base comparable to finger 168 and base 164. Thus conductors183 and 186 are extended into conductor 172 for connection to thetransformer 74. It should also be noted that the finger 168 has anopening and, preferably, a cylindrical opening formed by drilling intothe finger to provide a passage way for conductors 182, 183, 184, and186.

The cylindrical opening 190 has an o-ring 226 or similar compressiblering that could be made out of Teflon or nylon or other suitablematerial that is elastically deformable to compress as the front section202 of the finger 168 is urged into the opening 190. The o-ring 226abuts the shoulder 228 of the finger 168 to snuggly hold the finger 168in place after it is inserted into the opening 190.

The connector 160 may be used with the earphone 36 by connectingconductors 182 and 184 to the speaker 38. Of course the conductors 182and 184 are connected to conductive rings 174 and 176 for furtherconnection to rings 214 and 216 which connect to circuits in the BlueTooth Unit 32 and 32A to receive audio signals and transmit them to thespeaker 38.

FIG. 19 depicts an alternate connector 164 which has a base 230 and afinger 232. The front section 234 is comparable in shape and size tothat of front section 202 of connector 160. The finger 232 has anopening bored into it to allow conductors 236, 237, and 238 to extendthrough into the base 230. The conductors 236, 237, and 238 are eachconnected (as by soldering) to a section of the finger 232 such as thefront section 234, the forward section 240, middle section 242, and rearsection 244. The forward section 240 is insulated from the front section234 by insulator 246. Similarly, the forward section 240 is insulatedfrom the middle section 242 by insulator 248; and the middle section 242is insulted from the rear section 244 by insulator 250. The conductiverings 214-216 in the opening 190 are repositioned to conduct the forwardsection 240, the middle section 242, and the rear section 244. Thus thefront section 234 and the middle section 242 can be used to communicateelectricity to the battery of the Blue Tooth unit 32 and 32 A. Theforward section 240 and the rear section 244 can be used to communicateaudio signals to the speaker 38. It can also be seen that the finger 232is sized and shaped comparable to finger 168 so that finger 232mechanically registers with the opening 190.

Turning now to FIGS. 7-11, the left temple 18 is shown in perspectivefrom a number of views. The left temple 18 has the cavity 30 formed init sized to snuggly receive the BlueTooth device 32 or to receive acover plate (FIG. 5). The cavity 30 is formed with apertures 92 and 94extending through the lower surface 56 to receive the up and down on/offbuttons. An optional aperture 96 is formed or formable to register witha microphone of the BlueTooth device 32 or 32A. A slot or aperture 98 isalso formed to register with a suitable receptacle or aperture 48, 48A,48B and 48C so the earpiece 36 may be connected to the BlueTooth device32. At opposite ends of the cavity 30 are slots 100 and 102. The slots100 and 102 are sized to frictionally engage ears or tabs 106 and 108 ofthe cover plate 90 as well as the tabs 110, 112, 114, and 116 of theaudio means such as BlueTooth device 32 or 32A.

At the front end 104 of the left earpiece 18 is a separate cavity 118sized to register with a suitable tab 119 of the glass frame 12 to formthe left hinge 22 with hinge pin 23. At the rear end 120 is an earportion 122 shaped to engage the ears of the user when the eyewear 10 ispositioned about the head with the glass frame positioning the lenses 14and 16 proximate the eyes of the user.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, it can be seen that the audio means, suchas BlueTooth device 32 or 32A, is sized to fit flush with the internalsurface 124 of the left temple 128. That is, the BlueTooth device 32 hasa width 126, a height 128 and a thickness 130 selected to be comparableto the width 132, the height 134, and depth 136 of the cavity 30 so asto effect a snug fit and a smooth inner surface. That is, the internalsurface 124 of the left temple 18 is flush and smooth with the internalsurface 38 of the BlueTooth device 32, as best seen in FIG. 16. With asnug and flush fit between the surface 138 and the surface 124, theuser's hair is less likely to snag. Further, there will be no edges topress against the user to create an uncomfortable fit over time when theeyewear 10 is worn.

Of course, the cover plate 90 is similarly sized in height 140 and width142 to effect a flush and snug fit in the cavity 30. If the user doesnot wish to use an audio means, it can be removed and the cavity 30covered by the cover plate 90 thereby removing the weight of theBlueTooth device 30 or 32A, which some users may find preferable.

It should be noted that the relationship of the BlueTooth device 30 or32A has been discussed in connection with the cavity 30 in the lefttemple 18. The right temple 20 is in effect a mirror image of the lefttemple 18. The right temple 20 thus has a similar cavity 144 which issized virtually identical but as a mirror image of cavity 30. The cavity144 in the right temple 20 can be formed with holes 150, 148 comparableto holes 92 and 94 of the left temple 18, and hole 146 comparable tohole 96, but positioned so that the same BlueTooth device 32 or 32A mayfit in the cavity 144 of the right temple 20 in the same manner as itfits in the cavity 30 of the left temple 18.

In alternate embodiments, it should be understood that the apertures 92,94, and 96 formed in the bottom exterior surface 56 of the left temple18 or apertures 146, 148, and 150 formed in the exterior surface 58 ofthe right temple 20 may be formed in the upper surface 152 of the lefttemple 18 and the upper surface 154 respectively. That is, some usersmay find it more convenient or preferable to have operating buttons onthe upper surfaces 152 and 154.

In use, it can be seen that the eyewear 10 can be used with a coverplate 90 in place over the cavity 30 in the left temple 18 and over thecavity 144 in the right temple 20. The user also may place an audiomeans such as the BlueTooth device 32 or 32A in one of the two cavities30 and 144 based on his or her preference. The user may also place audiomeans in both the cavities 144 and 30 when the audio means are connectedwirelessly to a common source to receive a left channel and a rightchannel of a stereo signal. Alternately, the user may have two separateBlueTooth devices 32 positioned one in each temple 18 and 20 so the userin effect may have two cell phones or two separate devices forgenerating audible signals (sound) for the user. Of course the user mayconvert between any one of the above mentioned configurations quickly asdesired by simply snapping in and out as convenient.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

1. Eyewear for positioning about the head of a user, said eyewearcomprising: a lens frame for positioning proximate the eyes of a user,said lens frame including at least one lens for positioning proximatethe eyes of a user said lens frame having a right side and a left side;a left temple attached to said left side of said lens frame and sized toextend over the left ear of the user, said left temple being formed tohave a left cavity therein sized to removably receive therein one of anaudio system and a cover plate; a right temple attached to said rightside of said lens frame and sized to extend over the right ear of theuser, said right temple being formed to have a right cavity thereinsized to removably receive therein one of an audio system and a coverplate; said audio system for generating audible sound for the user,including: battery means for generating electrical power; audio meansconfigured for producing audio signals convertible to audible signals,said audio means being connected to said battery means to receive powertherefrom; connector means connected to said audio means to receive saidaudio signals therefrom and for removable connection to audiotransmitting means for supplying said audio signals thereto and forremovable connection to a battery charger for supplying power to saidbattery means, and; audio transmitting means for removable connection tosaid connector to receive said audio signal and for generating anaudible signal proximate an ear of a user.
 2. The eyewear of claim 1wherein said audio system includes a microphone for receiving audiblesignals from a user and converting said audible signals into outgoingaudio signals and wherein said microphone is connected to said audiosystem.
 3. Eyewear for positioning about the head of a user, saideyewear comprising: a lens frame for positioning proximate the eyes of auser, said lens frame including a at least one lens for positioningproximate the eyes of a user said lens frame having a right side and aleft side; a first temple attached to one of said left side and saidright side of said lens frame and sized to extend over an ear of theuser, said first temple being formed to have a cavity therein sized toremovably receive therein one of an audio system and a cover plate; asecond temple attached to said lens frame and sized to extend over theother ear; said audio system for generating audible sound for the user,said audio system including battery means for generating electricalpower, audio means configured for producing audio signals convertible toaudible signals, said audio means being connected to said battery meansto receive power therefrom, and connector means connected to said audiomeans to receive said audio signals therefrom and for removableconnection to audio transmitting means for supplying said audio signalsthereto and for removable connection to a battery charger for supplyingpower to said battery means; and audio transmitting means for removableconnection to said connector to receive said audio signal and forgenerating an audible signal proximate an ear of a user.